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Right to Repair Submits Final Signatures for Ballot Initiative

The Right to Repair Coalition today submitted 16,000 signatures to the Massachusetts secretary of state to secure the initiative's place on the November ballot.

Right to Repair would require Massachusetts manufacturers to sell to vehicle owners and independent repair facilities the same diagnostic and repair information they provide to dealers and authorized repair facilities.

The Right to Repair measure would "require a manufacturer of motor vehicles sold in the commonwealth to make available for purchase by owners of motor vehicles and by independent repair facilities the same diagnostic and repair information, including repair technical updates that the manufacturer makes available to its dealers and authorized repair facilities."

This most recent step comes as intense efforts by the Coalition to pass compromise legislation continue on Beacon Hill. This month, after a compromise bill passed the Senate, Massachusetts new car dealers joined consumers, repairers and the Right to Repair Coalition in support of the initiative.

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"Although we are still willing to come to a legislative compromise with the big car manufacturers, delivering these signatures today ensures that one way or another, Massachusetts consumers will soon be able to take their vehicle where they want for repair and maintenance," says Art Kinsman of the Right to Repair Coalition. "While big car manufacturers are content with the status quo, we will continue to fight a vigorous campaign to level the playing field for local repair shops and save consumers money."

Currently, auto manufacturers provide only some of the diagnostic and safety information needed to repair vehicle owners' cars with independent technicians, limiting consumers' choices and losing business for neighborhood repair shops.

Enthusiasm for the initiative helped Right to Repair easily surpass the required 11,000 signatures required to put the issue on the November ballot. This final signature batch is in addition to the 100,000-plus signatures gathered last fall and earlier this year.